1yakini
Member
- Location
- norfolk va
Thanks man, just giving back to the community
---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 PM ----------
I'm not sure there's channels in the cover itself, when I took mine off, there's nothing more than just seals and the cover. The two PCV valves are detachable on the V8 or one on the V6 model. They unscrew from the valve cover itself.
When I took my valve covers off I never seen any sludge but I use synthetic so it cleans everything including the PCV valve. That's the one of many amazing benefits of using synthetic. It works for you and saves you down the line.
Why would they recommend replacing the covers? Because its a sure way for the covers to be excluded as the culprit. Also dealerships don't like to get into small jobs like cleaning covers. They like to do a quick, clean job that gives them a big profit. Not only that but if they were to clean the covers, put new seals and you still had an issue, they would have to redo everything only this time using new covers. But you could argue with them that they should have known better to put new covers on and they would have to cover the initial costs plus make you happy of wasting your time.
Also its a bit of a labor intensive task, if it was something small like washing the PCV valve (which they would not do but replace), if that didn't do the trick, it would just take 5 minutes to replace.
In my experience dealing with mechanics at any dealership, rarely do I ever come across someone that knows the car the way we do in these forums. There's times I ask them about something and they simply have no clue or start telling you stories and I end up finding the answer here. Smaller dedicated shops know way more because its their business to know and they tell you how it is and are willing to go the extra step. But for the most part, techs at dealerships don't make crazy money, usually are students/apprenticeship, guys that took school because they like cars but don't have a passion for them.
Sorry for the rant, but I think this is something you guys need to know straight up and probably already do.
I totally think your engine is fine, just needs a good "safe" cleaning, synthetic oil and you're golden.
The one thing I never could settle with was using seafoam. I've read great things about it, but what are the after effects later on? How safe is seafoam on oxygen sensors and catalytic converters? If it removes deposits it must have an intense detergent, but at the same time, detergents cause "dry" friction between mechanical parts which cause scoring. That's just my take on it from years of experience dealing with cars, etc.
There's always two sides of the story, and usually its one side making money and the other side getting a benefit with a bigger loss somewhere else or later on.
I spent some time today at my local shop (not dealership). My guys there build lots of track cars. Keanan showed me the inside of a similar valve cover, there is a plate with small holes that feed into a tube that leads to the pvc outlet and he said its the same in the VQ. I could try seafoam but he suggested an oil replacement product that has a lot of detergents in it. Theres just no way to get seafoam all the way through the tube from the outside. You are right about the dealer and replacing the covers, they dont want to fiddle with cleaning something, then if it doesnt work it was all a waste. Rather get paid, swap it out completely and move to the next thing. You are also right about them no knowing, especially service managers... i've had to correct mine on several issues and thats why I took it to ALL Aspects today.
He also said that seafoam wasnt bad, but that it wasnt good and there are plenty of high detergeant oils that you can run through that will break up buildup on the bottom of the pistons, and even up top.
To put it in perspective, I ran several trip up to DC at 90+ mph over that 2500 miles and it was just over a quart low. I was fussing about it to try and get a new engine. I really didnt thinnk the consumption was too crazy and thats exactly what he said today at the shop. Especially with the 4 hour drives at high speed. I may not even have a problem but it was worth a shot.
Me thinks I am going to run the detergent, replace both pcv valves (thanks to sprtfx) and consider a switch to synthetic. I wasnt worried about the motor burning up today, but was thinking for longevity sake I would like to eliminate the problem as much as I can. Keanan also emphasized what I had previously thought, that a catch can was unnecessary. I mean, all the guys have them at the shop, but they race. I might still get one to keep the intake clean but from what they are saying, its not enough to bother the plugs or cats or anything else.
Im with you on this one phantom, I think the thing is ok at least for now and needs to be cleaned and watched is all. Ill keep you posted.
He recommended http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ne-oil-treatment-rislone_7081049-p#fragment-3
Last edited:
